The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-23
THE CALL WILL STICK.
NO BACK DOWN ON THAT CoNVEN-
TON FOR CITY OFFICES.
Mr.. S. j. Camp Tells How and why II
Game About, Considers the Action
Authorized, and Gives other Inter
esting Ideas.

There was talk on the streets yesterday
That an effort was being made to have the
call for a Democratic convention, promul-
gated by city members OF the executive
board, withdrawn. Toward evening an
impression prevailed among some that the
effort had proved successful. The reason for
all this supposed change Of program was
found in the voluntary withdrawal of Gen.
II. H.. Patterson from the race, which dis
posed Of the mock foundation for so much
political disturbance. An APPEAL reporter
called on Mr.. Sam J. Camp, chairman Of
the executive board, at his residence, last
night, and asked him how matters stood
with regard to the convention.
$50 far as | am advised the present pro-
gram will stand and be carried through, and
regular Democratic candidates elected to i'll
the offices. The committee, in issuing the
call for a convention, acted upon assumed, II
not properly delegated powers, and for what
they conceived to be the best interests OF the
party"
Then this will virtually settle the ques-
ton and establish a permanent and accepted
precedent for all future elections In other
words, politics has entered the city govern
mcnt, and candidates will henceforth be
chosen 10y the ordinary party methodist
YES, ] rather think IL does. The COM
mitteo, acting rs IL deemed for the best, IS
sued the call from a conviction that the
time had arrived for action of this kind. IL
was a question Of whether IL would he adj
yisnble to place n pronounced Republican
leader in q board whore 50 much authority
and appointing power rests"
isn't that q question that has recently
sprung up? You remember, at one time,
not many years since, Mr.. II. g. Graves, also
n Republican, was chosen TO a place in the
same board, by common consent. Where is
the distinction, aud what has brought about
the changer
"Ies, the issue Is n recent ono. | know
Mr.. Graves and Mr.. Patterson are both Re
publicans, but at the same time honorcd and
respected citizens and business men. But
there is a changed condition of affairs. The
city wing Of the party was on the verge Of
serious rupture, which threatened TO affect
the county and congressional district, both
Of which are close. | can't say hat the
election of Gen. P~attcrson-who Il my per-
sonal friend, and whom | likc-would en-
danger the party, provided IL could have
been brought about without division and
scramble. So far as | know, the general has
always served In the lower board without
any reference 10 politics, and II would be
unfair to say lac would depart from the
course in the upper board. But a great
many Democrats question his motive in
rather demanding a promotion
SIS IL not a fact that the straightforward
effort lac made for promotion was the work
OF good aud true Democrats, who saw no
politics In the city government
II cannot answer that positively, my only
information being the published cards OF the
FNanFrffNn W0uflHnuaR Than KH.Ft VNUNgH.g.V,I
that statements are sometimes interpreted to
mean widely different things. That may be
true In this Instance
Getting back Ia the question Of county
executive committee Jurisdiction. do YOU
believe II really had authority TO interfere in
elections for city oiliccsP'
"lcs, for the reason that there are no city
lines. They were wiped out by the change
In the form Of goycrnmcnt-thcrc 4, no mu.
nicipality. The Democratic party in the
Taxing District constitutes the bulk Of that
IN the county. IL Is our duty 10 guard the
Interests Of that party, therefore we acted,
as ] believe, under sanction OF conferred
p%ower."
Then why didn't You call all the twenty
eight members Of the committee
Tho entire commitieeis bulky and cum
brous machine, and tho country members
are difficult 20 get 20 q meeting. Some.
times IL happens that work must
be done with celebrity, and new
methods become necessary. About q year
ngo the attention Of the committee was
called 10 this fact, and the board was or
ganizcd with full power 10 act. This latter
point was definitely settled, and Il was more
the boards work in this ease than the com.
mittcc's. OF course, where delicate aud
vital issues arise, the board Is expected TO
call the entire committee together In scason."
'Iou have heard, | suppose, that the COM
mittcc snubbcd the mass'mccting, aud called
n convention TO thWart or throttle its
nctiong'
Eyes, that criticism has reached my ears,
but IL Is utterly untrue. Fact Il, the call
was decided upon before the meeting was
hardly thought o."
SIS there not danger Of wrccking the model
Taxing District government By introducing
politics aud party machinery into It's clec.
tionsg'
"Wcll. Il Is not an impossibilitv, but II the
people do their duty at the primaries We are
safe
This has not been done In the past, has
II cannot say conscicntiously that Il has."
"Mill the nominees Of the mns,.mcCting
be recognized In the convention
"All Democrats who choose io come In
will be recognized. but You can put IL down
IN black aud white that there will be no
f%oolishncss uhout II anywhere. The cxccu-
tive committee will supcrintend the prima.
rics, and the convention will he one u bust
ness
Arc you still IN the race for school com.
missioner
mo. sir. I was accused last night 81 call.
ing the convention In my own interest, and
| told the gentleman that such could not be
true. ~ | would not be- q candidate under
any circumstances"